Tag: Titans news

Chargers’ causes for concern vs. Titans

Reasons why the Titans could beat the Chargers in Week 2.

The Chargers travel cross-country for an away game against the Titans with an opportunity to right the ship after a difficult loss to the Dolphins in Week 1.

Here’s what should give LA pause heading into the matchup.

Chargers’ Joey Bosa, Austin Ekeler miss second straight practice ahead of Week 2 vs. Titans

The Chargers had three non-participants on Thursday.

The Chargers continued their preparation on Thursday for their game against the Titans this weekend.

For the second consecutive day, Joey Bosa and Austin Ekeler were not on the practice field.

Bosa has not practiced as he’s dealing with a hamstring injury. Ekeler is nursing an ankle injury and missed Wednesday’s practice because he was in attendance for agent Cameron Weiss’ funeral.

If Bosa can’t go, rookie Tuli Tuipulotu will start opposite Khalil Mack. If Ekeler were to miss the game, Joshua Kelley would get the bulk of the touches.

Eric Kendricks was also a non-participant for the second straight day. Kendricks has a hamstring injury but was listed as out for personal reasons.

If Kendricks is unavailable, either Amen Ogbongbemiga or Nick Niemann would be in line to start next to Kenneth Murray.

Chris Rumph and Daiyan Henley were limited participants, both dealing with hamstring injuries.

Titans signing Adrian Peterson to practice squad, will elevate him to active roster

The Titans are signing Adrian Peterson to their practice squad and will elevate him to the active roster.

The Titans offense suffered a serious blow Sunday when Derrick Henry suffered a foot injury that will require surgery. He’ll be out indefinitely, though the Titans hope he can return this season.

But Tennessee wasted no time finding a replacement, signing a future Hall of Famer on Monday. The Titans are signing Adrian Peterson to their practice squad with the plan to elevate him to the active roster. Peterson will help fill the massive void left by Henry, joining a Titans backfield that also features Jeremy McNichols and Dontrell Hilliard.

Peterson played all 16 games for the Lions last season, rushing for 604 yards and seven touchdowns on 156 attempts. He’s rushed for 14,820 yards in his career and made the Pro Bowl seven times, being selected as a first-team All-Pro three times.

The Titans will be Peterson’s sixth NFL team. He spent the first 10 years of his career with the Vikings from 2007-2016.

Report: Tennessee Titans release former Georgia football OLB

The Tennessee Titans have released former Georgia football outside linebacker D’Andre Walker.

Per Justin Melo of Draft Wire, the Tennessee Titans have released former Georgia football star outside linebacker D’Andre Walker.

Walker was the Titans’ fifth round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Walker was placed on injured reserve last summer and sat out his entire rookie season after suffering a torn ACL in training camp. He was said to be doing well in training camp this year and was reportedly making progress, per TitansWire. Plus, due to the troubles that the Titans have endured at the outside linebacker position, Walker was expected to be able to find a role.

It’s possible the Titans add him to the practice squad, though.

 

 

Sam Pittman discusses former Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson with Tennessee Titans

Former Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson was taken No. 29 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans last month. Wilson played 25 games at Georgia and was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team …

Former Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson was taken No. 29 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans last month.

Wilson played 25 games at Georgia and was named to the  Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team as a red-shirt freshman and in 2019 was named to the Associated Press All-SEC 2nd Team.

He played under offensive line coach Sam Pittman, who was regarded as the top offensive line coach in America. Pittman now serves as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, but still possesses plenty of love for his former Bulldogs, including Wilson.

The Titans recently posted a video of Pittman breaking down Wilson’s game.

Pittman also discusses his recruitment of Wilson, what he improved on at Georgia, his athleticism and his work-ethic.

Isaiah Wilson talks viral NFL Draft clip of his mother and fiancee

Former Georgia football OT Isaiah Wilson discussed the viral video involving his mom and fiancee after being picked by the Tennessee Titans.

The virtual 2020 NFL Draft was one to remember, not because of shocking picks or huge trades, but really just because of all the funny clips we got of people having to stay at home during this year’s draft.

Of course one of those clips involved former Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson. As Wilson was announced as the No. 29 pick to the Tennessee Titans, his fiancee was sitting on his lap embracing him in the emotional moment. However, she wasn’t aware that she was taking up most of the screen of ESPN’s live coverage from Wilson’s home, so Wilson’s mom made some changes showing some serious power…

Wilson recently reacted to the video in an interview with John Glennon of  The Athletic :

“At the end of the day, the draft was the biggest spectacle of the quarantine,” Wilson said. “Everyone was tuned in, waiting to get something to harp on to put on social media because people are bored. Everyone is in the house; nobody can do anything. People were bored and jumped at some funny content. I mean, my family is doing great. We’re all smiles over here.”

Wilson’s mom Sharese also talked about the video.

“I did get quite a few calls from friends on that,” Sharese Wilson said with a laugh. “It’s funny because that little clip, we couldn’t see it at all (while it was happening) because we were kind of following along with ESPN. But in our minds, we were just like, ‘The cameras are rolling, so let’s get everybody out of the way’ so that Isaiah — we knew they would pan to Isaiah — would talk about his reaction or they’re going to catch him crying or whatever it is. What ended up happening is they were rolling when we were trying to clear out.”

Why did Brooklyn native Isaiah Wilson choose to play for Georgia football?

Here is why Brooklyn native Isaiah Wilson, now of the Tennessee Titans, chose to play college ball for Georgia football.

Former Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson signed with the Bulldogs as a five-star recruit in the class of 2017.

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York and playing high school ball at Poly Prep, Wilson had offers from just about every school in the country.

At 6-foot-7, 350 pounds, Wilson was rated as the nation’s No. 16 overall player in the 2017 recruiting class. Out of the 18 votes on Wilson’s 247 recruiting profile, 16 analysts actually predicted him to play for Michigan.

But Wilson chose the warmer weather, the better competition and the overall more enjoyable lifestyle of attending The University of Georgia, where after three seasons he became a first round draft selection of the Tennessee Titans.

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Wilson remotely sat down with the voice of the Tennessee Titans, Mike Keith, to discuss a plethora of things, including why he chose to play for Georgia instead of staying up north.

“I just felt the SEC is a great place to play football. You have the best competition out there,” Wilson said. “The SEC has a lot of talent every week and you have NFL level coaches that prepare you for the next level and have been in the league and been through those systems and understand what’s required of you at the next level.

And their success rate, just with their players and helping them succeed and get to the next level, not only as football players but as men. It’s definitely what I looked at in my decision to go down there and play for Georgia.”

On what he improved most on during his time at Georgia, Wilson said it was the technique that Sam Pittman and the UGA coaching staff helped him to develop.

“I came from a private school in Brooklyn, New York, a really small school. And we had great coaches for that environment but they didn’t necessarily coach the technique I was learning in college. Picking up that technique was probably the biggest transition for me.”

And here’s Wilson’s tweet announcing his commitment to the G.

How former Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson got the nickname ‘Panda’

How did former Georgia football OT Isaiah Wilson, now of the Tennessee Titans, receive his nickname “Panda?”

Former Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson signed with the Bulldogs as a five-star recruit in the class of 2017 out of Brooklyn, New York.

Fast forward three years later, and the 6-foot-7, 350 pound tackle is a first round selection of the Tennessee Titans at the 2020 NFL Draft.

A few days after being drafted, Wilson remotely sat down with the voice of the Tennessee Titans, Mike Keith, to partake in a virtual interview, really diving into Wilson as a person and his journey to becoming a first round draft pick.

One of the questions that Keith asked Wilson was where he got his nickname from. As seen on his social media, Wilson goes by the nickname “Panda.”

The story behind that can be viewed below, starting at the 7:35 mark.

Wilson stated that it was actually running back prospect (at the time) DeeJay Dallas who gave him that nickname during a high school training camp.

“I was sitting down Indian style, because I’m a big guy and it stretches out my hips…

He walked over, and he was like, ‘you’re just a big panda.’ It stuck. Everyone kind of went with it.”

Dallas was a 4-star running back recruit out of Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Georgia in the class  of 2017. If you remember, Dallas actually committed to Georgia while Mark Richt was still head coach. He de-committed in December of 2015 following Richt’s firing, but followed Richt to Miami. Dallas was recently picked in the fourth round of the 2020 draft by Seattle.

I recommend watching the video in full, as Wilson discusses a lot more than where his nickname came from.

UGA great Tavarres King has helping hand in Berry College standout signing UDFA contract

Former Georgia football WR Tavarres King had a helping hand in Berry College WR Mason Kinsey signing a UDFA deal with the Tennessee Titans.

Following the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft, Berry College (Rome, Ga) wide receiver Mason Kinsey signed a free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans. Kinsey is the only Division III player in 2020 to sign as a free agent and the first Vikings player in history to sign with an NFL team.

The Habersham Central High (Mt. Airy, Ga) product claimed his third consecutive All-Conference first-team honor and was named a D-III third-team All-American. The Demorest, Ga. native holds program records in nearly every receiving category, finishing his career with a Southern Athletic Association record 3,343 receiving yards and 50 receiving touchdowns. The 6-foot, 195-pound wideout led Berry to a 9-2 record and the Vikings’ fourth consecutive conference championship. For his efforts, Kinsey received an invitation to the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl, the only D-III player selected.

During his freshman year in high school, due to a lack of reps, Kinsey was about to give up on football and focus on basketball. Georgia wide receiver Tavarres King, then a senior, stepped into the picture.

King persuaded Kinsey he had a future in football and should transition from running back to receiver. King, a former Habersham Central 4-star recruit, Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year and one of the SEC’s top receivers, saw something in Kinsey and proceeded to lend his advice and backing.

With King’s guidance and support, Kinsey went on to become a two-time all-region selection and Habersham Central’s second all-time leading receiver behind King. He declined a preferred walk-on offer to Mercer and enrolled in Berry to pursue a sports management degree and an opportunity to play football.

“He’s like my big brother and I love him to death,” Kinsey told Forbes.com of his relationship with King. “He has really helped me out and I definitely would not be the player I am today without him. I give a lot of props to him.”

Kinsey’s desire and hunger to put in the work makes him stand out and King took ealy notice of his work ethic.

“That’s what I love about Mason,” King told Forbes.com. “He is real hungry, real eager to learn and a hard-working kid.”

During his tenure at the University of Georgia, King caught 135 passes for 2,602 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns, good for ninth in career receptions, fourth in career yardage and third in career receiving touchdowns. A former fifth-round draft choice of the Denver Broncos, King played six years in the NFL for five teams, with his last stop in Minnesota in 2018.  King knows the NFL scouting system.

“I would tell him all the time, if you are good, they will find you,” said King. “It’s all about making plays and making the most of his opportunities. Mason has done that to this point and I expect him to continue to do that.”

Read Forbes’ story on King and Kinsey here.

NFL comparisons for Titans OT Isaiah Wilson out of Georgia

We list NFL comparisons for former Georgia football and now Tennessee Titans OT Isaiah Wilson.

The Tennessee Titans selected Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson with the 29th pick in the first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Wilson was an All-American as a freshman right tackle at Georgia and was bothered by injuries in his sophomore season. At 6-foot-7 340 pounds, Wilson is one of the largest tackles in this years draft.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote:

“Big, broad right tackle prospect with outstanding physical traits and above-average potential.”

To get an idea on how Wilson will preform at the NFL level, let’s look at two pros that Wilson’s game most resembles.

1. Demar Dotson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dotson (6’9″, 315 lbs) is one of the largest tackles in the NFL, but what resembles Wilson the most is his length. Both Wilson and Dotson are able to use their length to keep the pocket clean for their quarterbacks by forcing rushers out wide. 

2. Lane Johnson – Philadelphia Eagles

During Wilson’s career at Georgia, he excelled in run-blocking because of his footwork at his size. One of the best run-blocking tackles in the NFL, Johnson uses his footwork to turn the edge defenders which seals the gap and he also does a great job advancing to the second-level.

The Titans’ offensive line was already one of the best units in the NFL and after drafting Wilson, that trend should continue for years to come.